Laughter May Put You In Them: Why Laughing More Has Huge Health Benefits
When's the last time you had a good belly laugh? If it's been awhile, you're missing out. Laughter has incredible health benefits for both your body and mind.
Laughing deeply and often can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your muscles, and reduce stress hormones. It also promotes brain connectivity to enhance mood and relationships.
Read on to learn all the ways laughing more each day can vastly improve your overall wellbeing.
Laughter Releases Feel-Good Chemicals
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the brain's natural "feel-good" chemicals. Endorphins promote positive feelings and suppress pain signals.
Laughing also increases levels of dopamine. This neurotransmitter is involved in pleasure, motivation, and learning. Higher dopamine leads to improved mood and focus.
In addition, laughter reduces production of cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones are linked to anxiety, tension, and increased blood pressure.
It Boosts Your Immune System
Studies show that laughing raises levels of immunoglobulins and infection-fighting antibodies. It also increases the number of natural killer cells that attack viruses and tumors.
By reducing stress hormone output, laughter might prevent immunosuppression too. This makes your immune system work more efficiently to ward off sickness.
Laughter is Good Exercise
A hearty laugh provides internal exercise for your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, and leg muscles. It increases heart rate and oxygen consumption similar to a light workout.
Laughing for 10-15 minutes per day can burn 10-40 calories. It may not sound like much, but small amounts of physical activity add up over time.
It Eases Pain
Laughter has short-term pain relieving effects by releasing endorphins. These natural opiates block pain signals to the brain. Laughter also distracts from pain by releasing dopamine.
Studies found laughing reduced pain levels in people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. So laughter may complement traditional pain treatment.
Laughter is Contagious
When you laugh, it triggers mirror neurons in other people's brains. These encourage them to smile and laugh too through a process called emotional contagion.
Shared laughter strengthens social bonds and connections between family, friends, co-workers, and strangers alike.
It Reduces Stress
Laughing lowers stress by decreasing cortisol, adrenaline, and inflammation. It also improves coping skills and resilience to anxiety and trauma.
By releasing dopamine and endorphins, laughter induces calm and contentment. This stress relief can boost overall wellbeing dramatically.
Laughter Promotes Brain Connectivity
Neuroimaging studies reveal laughter lights up many regions of the brain associated with cognitive function. It increases connectivity between emotional, motor, and executive networks.
This boosts awareness, creativity, problem-solving, and emotional processing. So laughter quite literally helps your brain work better.
Tips to Laugh More Every Day
Convinced of the benefits? Here are some fun, practical ways to get your daily dose of laughter:
Listen to Comedy Podcasts or Shows
Make funny podcasts part of your morning commute or evening wind-down routine. Go through your favorite comedy television shows and movies too.
Read Humor Columns and Books
Pick up a book by a comedian or humorist you enjoy. You can also start your day with a funny newspaper column.
Play with Kids or Pets
Kids and animals provide endless amusement with their silly antics. Playing and cuddling with them is sure to get you giggling.
Tell Jokes and Funny Stories
Practice telling your favorite clean jokes and amusing life stories. You're sure to laugh yourself silly in the process.
Go to Comedy Shows and Events
Check out local improv nights, stand-up comedy shows, or theater performances. Live comedy is contagious.
Spend Time with Funny Friends
Surround yourself with people who make you laugh regularly. Plan game or movie nights full of belly laughs.
Laugh at Yourself
Don't take yourself too seriously. Find the humor in your flubs and quirks. Self-deprecating humor is free 24/7.
Do Laughter Yoga
Laughter yoga combines intentional laughter exercises with deep breathing. See if there are classes near you.
Have a Laugh Track Handy
Keep funny videos or laughter clips on your phone for an instant mood boost anywhere.
Start Your Day with Laughter
Wake up your sense of humor along with your body. Tell jokes or watch funny clips while eating breakfast.
Laughter Prescriptions for Health
To fully leverage laughter's benefits, many experts recommend prescribing daily laughter like medicine. Some dosage suggestions include:
15 Minutes of Laughter Daily
Aim for a minimum of 15 minutes of sustained belly laughter per day. This could be all at once or spaced out.
100 Laughs per Day
Count out 100 laughs through jokes, comedy, or funny interactions daily. Focus on robust, genuine laughter.
10-15 Minutes 3 Times Per Day
Like exercise, distribute laughter sessions throughout your day. Try for 10-15 minutes of laughing 3 times per day.
Laughter Breaks
Take short 1-2 minute laughter breaks hourly if possible. This prevents stress from accumulating.
Track your laughter goals and slowly increase them. Laughter is contagious, so encourage friends and family to join you.
Who Can Benefit Most from Laughter Therapy?
While anyone can benefit from more laughter, it may be especially therapeutic for:
- Individuals with mood disorders like depression or anxiety
- People dealing with chronic pain or illness
- Those in high-stress jobs
- Anyone going through trauma or grief
- Individuals in need of stronger social bonds
Studies of hospitalized patients found daily laughter reduced pain, stress, and negative emotions significantly. The boost in morale can aid healing.
Possible Risks of Excessive Laughter
Laughter is generally very safe, but excessive amounts may cause:
- Facial or abdominal muscle strains
- Lightheadedness or breathing issues from lack of oxygen
- Urinary incontinence if pelvic muscles are weak
- Headaches or dizziness from abrupt blood pressure drops
People with cardiac issues, epilepsy, or hernias should check with a doctor before prolonged laughter sessions.
But for most of us, the benefits of regular laughter far outweigh any minimal risks. Listen to your body, pace yourself, and laugh freely.
Make Laughter Part of Your Self-Care Routine
Laughing more every day provides a simple yet powerful way to boost your physical, mental, and relational health all at once. It's truly good medicine.
So be generous with your laughter - laugh long, laugh hard, and share laughs freely. Keep funny reminders around you and make time for comedy and humor.
Adding daily laughter habits enhances your mood, immune system, pain management, brain function, and social connections. And best of all
FAQs
How does laughter improve your health?
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine to positively impact mood. It also boosts immunity, exercises muscles, eases pain, reduces stress, and promotes brain connectivity.
What are some tips for laughing more every day?
Tips include listening to comedy, reading humor books, playing with kids/pets, telling jokes, going to comedy shows, spending time with funny friends, and doing laughter yoga.
How much daily laughter is recommended?
Experts often suggest aiming for 15 minutes of laughter per day, 100 laughs per day, or 10-15 minutes of laughter 3 times daily as a therapeutic prescription.
Who can benefit most from laughter therapy?
Those with mood disorders, chronic pain, high-stress jobs, grief, or weak social connections tend to benefit most from daily bouts of laughter.
Are there any risks or side effects of excessive laughter?
Potential side effects include facial or stomach muscle strains, lightheadedness, urinary incontinence, headaches, and dizziness in rare cases. Moderation is key.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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